Comments By Jolie R.

Hi all! I know I am not around a lot but I just wanted to let y'all know I finally made it to a year solo driving. My best friend told me last week she thought I would have given this up long ago and gone back to doing mortgage loans. I enjoy not being stuck in an office far too much to quit and besides, I have lost and kept off about 40 lbs since I started. Who knew I was wasting money going to the gym to work out and all I had to do was start driving a truck! For many of the new(er) folks here you cannot imagine what a big deal this is as I was encouraged to quit the company sponsored driving school I went to not only once but twice! It was thought I would never be able to pass the backing portion of the driving test and best to go to a program that was longer. Well, I didn't quit and passed all sections on my first try much to everyone's amazement. Have things been perfect with my backing since then? Far from it but I continue to improve daily.

For those of you considering this career I will tell you to first and foremost believe in yourself. My instructors weren't being mean when they encouraged me to quit, but in their experience they just didn't see how I could pass. With a lot of prayer from others and a lot of determination on my part, I was successful.

I did a regional dedicated account for the first 6 months and for the last 6 months I have been on a local dedicated account (with a different company than my original one). I wasn't looking for a local job when I began looking but it was in my mind the best opportunity. I know a lot of new drivers want local positions so they can be home every night with their family but as Old School said in a thread to Mountain Girl, local is one tough gig so be careful what you wish for. You may be home every night but too tired to do anything more than grab a shower, eat something, and hit the rack only to get up the next day and start all over again. Don't forget in the time you have off you will have to figure in commute times too. I haven't watched t.v. or read a book in months and see my friends less than I did when I was running regional and home every weekend. I'm definitely not sorry I took this position but I miss a lot of things about being out on the road and may well return in the near future. There are pros and cons to every position and company in the trucking world, so find which one is the best fit for you regardless of what others think. Best of luck to all of you and be safe out there!

Mamma used to tell me, "You always bounce back. I've seen it. You always do."

Sort of like my mother telling me she raised her girls to be survivors.

I'm not in this profession to be a victim; so I'm working on quantum leaps in personal growth.

You will come out ok, whether in your current position or a new one of that I am sure. Keep your head held high and know this is a tough gig for anyone. It isn't whether you get knocked down in life that is the issue, but whether you get back up swinging or continue to lie on the ground. Somehow, I just don't see you taking a hit without getting back up swinging no matter how perky and upbeat you are! A momma bear has to provide for and protect her cubs and I know you will.

Mg, I hate to hear things have been so difficult for you. I got a local (more like linehaul) position at the end of May and I can relate to much of what you do on a daily basis, and I am here to say it ain't easy. I have been fortunate in that I have bumped in to a few things but have had people in the company go to bat for me with the safety department. Keep your chin up sister regardless of the outcome, although I am hoping it will be positive. I could never have tried to do this had my children not been grown and out of the house, so my hat is off to any woman driver who is able to do so. My mother, who is one very wise woman, has always told me I can do anything I set my mind to and I am passing that along to you. Should you not be able to stay at your current company, you will find and new one. Sometimes we think we know what is best, but then it is removed (even when we don't want it to be) and we find something better that we never would have looked for had the other thing not been removed. I have faith in you that one way or another you will land on your feet regardless of what happens.

I currently work for Marten Transport as a local driver but know drivers that are regional and otr. Their sleeper trucks are equipped with an APU. If there are other questions you have specifically let me know and I will be happy to answer if I am able.

I have made good money working for them as a local driver, but doubt I would continue to work here if I were to go back otr. A part of that is due to the fact they pay on length of haul and I would prefer to be paid the same cmp on all loads as it is easier to keep track of what I should be paid. As a local driver I am paid a flat daily rate plus cmp which does not vary. The company will automatically set a driver up to accept per diem pay and I am not sure if it is possible to opt out if one should choose to do so. Miles paid are based on zip code to zip code which can at times be detrimental to the driver (think driving in the Chicago area).

Their breakdown and detention pay is excellent at $20/hour and I have never had any hoops to jump through to get it other than putting in and out times on my bills which is no big deal.

Any others questions let me know!

I'm in my second week at Roehl and may I say it has been an AWESOME experience. Best decision I ever made and couldn't be more grateful for the abundance of knowledge that's being instilled in me for a successful career in trucking. My instructor's are awesome. Patient and VERY knowledgeable

Which location are you attending? I went through their program last October and had Dan and Dale in Marshfield. I agree they are very good at teaching student drivers even though the pace is so fast.

Congratulations on completing your first year driving....in my birthday no less! :-). I am coming up on my 1 year solo too and it is amazing the difference between then and now....heck it is amazing the difference between 6 months ago and now! Anyway, glad to see you made it a year and here's to many more!

I work as a local company driver for Marten Transport and I make well over $5000/mo gross. I am paid a daily rate plus 25¢/mile and I do a few other things daily for which I am paid a little extra (namely inventory the trailers at the 2 locations I go between). I could make more but I already work my tail off and I have come to realize that most of the extra pay from working weekends goes to the tax man so right now isn't worth it to me.

Roehl does not require a cdl they have there own school in Marshfield Wisconsin that's who I got called through and they now pay you while you attend do there school.

I went to school with Roehl last year too. Why did they say you would need your CDL in hand?

I got my CB free with my points from Pilot/Flying J. You have to resist the temptation to use your points to buy coffee, pop, etc or they will never build up to get the bigger items. The cashier's always ask me do I want to use points if I buy a drink but I just tell them no, I am saving them up. I think the chain's would rather see you fritter them away, frankly. You will be amazed at how fast they can accumulate!

YOU LOSE, YOU GET NOTHING! GOOD DAY SIR!

Any person who quotes from The Big Lebowski has earned my respect. I owe you a coffee Jay.

Sorry, that's from the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!!!!